In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, host Sandy Smith, senior vice president of clinical solutions and strategic partnering at WCG, dives into the highlights of the Florence Healthcare Research Revolution event. Sandy is joined by industry experts Andrea Bastek, vice president of innovation at Florence, and Lauren Sobocinski, senior vice president …

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, host Kelly FitzGerald sits down with Dr. Currien MacDonald, Medical Chair Director at WCG, and Sara Reed, a participant in two psychedelic clinical trials, to explore the evolving landscape of psychedelics research. Dr. MacDonald shares his expertise on the growing acceptance of psychedelics in clinical settings…

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, Geoff Schick, director of strategic site partnerships, joins our host Sandy Smith, senior vice president of clinical solutions and strategic partnering, to discuss the expansion of research site cancer portfolios.Por WCG

Join Desiree Underwood-Williams, director of project management organization at WCG and guest Steve Smith, CEO of SteveSmithPlans LLC and facilitator of the WCG Patient Forum, as they recap the latest Patient Forum Focus Session on breakthrough science and community engagement. Discussion highlights include: The impact of medical diagnoses on famil…

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by host Joanne Thomas, clinical reviewer and patient advocate at WCG, along with our guest Currien MacDonald, medical chair director at WCG. This episode covers the roles of IRB in ethical clinical research, frequently asked questions, and a general overview of the IRB’s role in clinical trials.…

This episode of WCG Talks Trials addresses site feasibility challenges impacting the clinical trials industry. Join Michelle Yu, associate director of clinical strategy at WCG, and our guest Trevor Cole, director of client delivery, site and strategic operations for WCG, as we discuss approaches to adopt innovative feasibility and site start-up sol…

Join our Chief Analytics Officer Silvio Galea, along with Dr. Donna Snyder & Dr. Barbara Bierer to discuss opportunities on the ethical and regulatory challenges regarding artificial intelligence in clinical trials. The discussion is focused through the lens of the IRB review, and how a multi-stakeholder task force led by the Multi-Regional Clinica…

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by WCG clinical science experts as they discuss traditional measurement challenges for PTSD trials and how the use of an electronic CAPS-5 scale is improving administration and scoring errors. Tune in as we discuss the CAPS-5 scale, the opportunities and benefits of using an electronic version to h…

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In the most recent episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by three industry experts, Amy Thue and Shelby Ward from WCG, and Russell Lampman from Merck to discuss the topic of optimizing vendor support, and ultimately the success, of clinical trials. Listen in as we dive into feedback and perspectives from both the sponsor and vendor side of the…

In Part 2 of this discussion, Currien MacDonald, MD, CIP Medical Chair Director for WCG's IRB, discusses new FDA regulations for waiver of consent with Kelly Fitzgerald, PhD, WCG's IRB Executive Chair and VP IBC Affairs.Por WCG

In Part 1 of this discussion, Currien MacDonald, MD, CIP Medical Chair Director for WCG's IRB, discusses a policy change that is going into effect for WCG IRB with Lindsay Abrahams, Regulatory Chair Director. Lindsay and Currien discuss the concise summary and its application to consent forms, especially for WCG.…

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, our expert panel discusses various ethical, safety, and logistical challenges in accelerating clinical trials for gene and cell therapies in oncology. The conversation explores the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs), Endpoint Adjudication Committees (EACs), and …

In episode 10 of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by Catherine Gregor, the Chief Clinical Trial Officer at Florence Healthcare, to discuss Florence’s recent Research Revolution event and the importance of site enablement in clinical research. Listen in as we recap Research Revolution, share insights on emerging clinical trial trends and innovations,…

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by Elizabeth Weeks-Rowe, CCRA, author of The CRA’s Guide to Monitoring Clinical Research, 6th Edition. Led by WCG Director of Publications and Content, Leslie Ramsey, the discussion will delve into the ways the clinical trials industry has become more complex and technologically focused and the cha…

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by MAGI@home Steering Committee members, Jennifer Peterson, Director, Head of Clinical Quality at M3 Wake Research, and Geoffrey Schick, Director, Strategic Site Partnerships at WCG. Led by Carmin Gade, Chief Marketing Officer at WCG, the discussion will delve into the insights and value MAGI event…

This episode of WCG Talks Trials, hosted by Kelly Fitzgerald, Executive IRB Chair and Vice President of IBC Affairs at WCG, dives into the topic of diversity and inclusion with technology in decentralized clinical trials (DCTs). The episode explores the transformative opportunities that DCTs present for addressing diversity gaps in clinical researc…

Listen to the latest episode of WCG Talks Trials to hear from experts on the importance of patient advocacy in clinical research and key takeaways from WCG's 2023 Patient Forum. We'll summarize how the patient forum elevates the voices of those changing drug development for the better and recap breakthroughs and best practices shared during the mos…

Listen to the latest episode of WCG Talks Trials to hear from experts on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research and how intersectionality plays a role in promoting DE&I. We'll discuss why diversity is pivotal for comprehending the full spectrum of clinical care mechanisms and review effective DE&I strategies being d…

Join WCG Talks Trials podcast host Kelly Fitzgerald, PhD, in a riveting dialogue with guest expert Currien MacDonald, MD, as they unravel the nuances of "Psychedelics in Research: Ethical and Medical Perspectives." Dr. MacDonald, with a solid foundation in family medicine and clinical trials administration, guides listeners through a grounded explo…

In episode three of WCG Talks Trials, two WCG experts discuss key findings from the 2023 Avoca State of the Industry Report, which provides a 360-degree view on motivators and deterrents to clinical trial participation. Listen in as we dive into feedback from perspectives across all clinical research stakeholders — sponsors, providers, sites, and p…

In episode two of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by two WCG experts to discuss overcoming common enrollment challenges and how DE&I, technology, and protocol design factor into enrollment success. Listen in as we delve into the critical topic of common enrollment barriers in clinical trials, how to improve enrollment by focusing on DE&I efforts, t…

In the first episode of our new podcast series, WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by three industry experts, Lisa Ballance from Virginia Commonwealth University, John Musser from Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, and Dan Otap from Genentech, to discuss the topic of overcoming site challenges and addressing site burden. Listen in as w…

Bernadette Siddiqi, associate director of research partnerships at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research talks about how they give members of the public access to the Fox Trial Finder. This clinical trial search tool that allows anyone to search for Parkinson’s disease clinical trials. More than 300 are listed on the site. It’s a b…

Movement disorder trials have always been demanding. Now, sponsors face an additional challenge: How do you ensure data integrity in the era of remote clinical trials? In this podcast, Bob Dagher, MD, WCG MedAvante-ProPhase’s Chief Medical Officer, addresses this in conversation with Steve Smith, WCG President of Patient Advocacy. This is the fourt…

As a global strategist for Intel’s Health and Life Sciences Group, Bryce Olson had an up close view of innovation happening in the lab—especially in terms of genomic sequencing and gene therapy. As a man diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer at 44, he had as well an up close view of how that innovation was not being translated into the …

In major depressive disorder, researchers have used remote assessments for decades. As a result, many of these studies have had an easier time adapting to the new clinical trial landscape. But that doesn’t mean they are pandemic-proof. So what are the critical success factors for clinical depression programs—especially now? In his conversation with…

LaTasha Lee, PhD, MPH’s path to becoming a sickle cell disease (SCD) researcher and policy advocate began as a child. Because the SCD trait ran in her family, she became a patient advocate while still small. Today, she is Vice President, Social and Clinical Research & Development, at the National Minority Quality Forum. In this wide-ranging intervi…

At 51, Jeffrey Borghoff was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. What would devastate many people turned Borghoff into an advocate. The former software architect and developer is now a national spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Association and board member of the Greater New Jersey chapter. In this podcast, he talks about how the diagnosis forced him…

Remote assessments have become a necessity across CNS trials, but some areas are more complicated than others. Schizophrenia provides one such example; the risk of variability is high, and sponsors are concerned. In this podcast, Mark Opler, PhD, MPH, Chief Research Officer at WCG MedAvante-ProPhase, sits down with WCG President of Patient Advocacy…

Lisa Deck was a healthy 21-year old a week away from college graduation when her first stroke put her in the hospital. She barely made it to her graduation ceremony. She suffered two more strokes before she turned 25, and after that, a fourth stroke. After serious misdiagnosis and incorrect treatments, she was finally diagnosed with Moyamoya diseas…

How can CROs and sponsors detect potential problems and issues in clinical trial conduct and data quality? That’s one of the critical issues discussed in Steve Young’s interview with Linda Sullivan, MBA, Executive Director of WCG’s Metric Champion Consortium (MCC). Young, Chief Scientific Officer at CluePoint, discusses how risk-based quality manag…

For many of the same reasons underrepresented populations lack access to appropriate healthcare services, they are also left out of clinical trials. The problem is widely known, but solutions have been hard to come by. In this episode, Michael Poku, MD, MBA, biopharma medical director at Signify Health, explains why this is the case and then shares…

Dana Deighton, an esophageal cancer survivor, shares her diagnostic odyssey of false starts and life-threatening detours. Deighton had always been healthy—she didn’t smoke, didn’t drink and exercised every day. Then came a joint pain that wouldn’t go away, visits to numerous doctors, a series of misdiagnoses, invasive tests, and growing symptoms. T…

Can patients be trained to report their symptoms more accurately? That’s one of the key topics discussed in Nat Katz’s and Art Morales’ interview with Linda Sullivan, MBA, Executive Director of WCG’s Metric Champion Consortium (MCC). Katz, the Chief Science Officer of WCG-Analgesic Solutions and Morales, Vice President, Technology Solutions at WCG,…

How are clinical trial companies pivoting to implement Risk-Based Quality Management programs during the pandemic? That’s one of the deep dives explored in Duncan Hall’s and Rachel Oakley’s interview with Linda Sullivan, MBA, Executive Director of WCG’s Metric Champion Consortium (MCC). Hall, founder and CEO of Triumph Research Intelligence (TRI) a…

What’s the secret to success for implementing a world-class holistic approach to a Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) system? That’s one of the key topics from Artem Andrianov‘s and Johanna Proeve’s interview with Executive Director of WCG’s Metric Champion Consortium (MCC), Linda Sullivan, MBA. Andrianov, CEO, and Proeve, Chief Science Officer a…

Ever since elementary school, Gregory L. Hall, MD, knew he would be a doctor. In this interview, he shares that journey and how he came to write the book—literally—on health disparities for African Americans. His focus on disparities began more than 30 years ago with his appointment to the Ohio Commission on Minority Health—the first such commissio…

"What impact does a remote clinical team operating model have on clinical trial performance?" That’s one of the hot topics from Ken Getz’s interview with Executive Director of WCG’s Metric Champion Consortium (MCC), Linda Sullivan, MBA. He describes several projects that the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (Tufts CSDD) is currently w…

Pharmaceutical executive Peter A. DiBiaso, MHA, a triathlete who has successfully completed the grueling Ironman, learned at age 49 he had early-onset Parkinson’s disease. He shares his experiences—and triumphs—in this episode. What started as a small tremor in his right hand and a stiffness in his right ankle ended up changing his life. It was a b…

Lisa Carlton, PhD, understands rare childhood diseases both professionally and personally. She was already a scientist specializing in rare diseases when her daughter was diagnosed with one: tuberous sclerosis. As VP of Global Regulatory Affairs for a biotech drug developer she is involved in development of treatments for other rare diseases too. T…

In this episode, host Linda Sullivan, MBA, Executive Director of WCG's Metric Champion Consortium (MCC) chats with Laurie Halloran, founder of the Halloran Consulting Group, about how she developed an on-demand drug development team that can fill in gaps in the clinical trial process for life science companies, whether these involve regulatory stra…

To fully engage Chicago’s medically underserved Chinese and other Asian communities and to help them address their own health issues, Dr. Hong Liu’s Midwest Asian Health Association reaches out in Mandarin, Cantonese and other languages—and does so in culturally appropriate ways. The result is better access to healthcare for many low-income, often …

In this episode, Roslyn Daniels, the founder and president of Black Health Matters, talks about how her organization educates and motivates African-American communities about taking care of one’s own health. Seeing her own grandparents die too soon and recognizing that, in many communities, people are forced to choose between rent and healthcare, s…

Our guest this episode, patient advocate Dorelia Rivera, improves access to healthcare services and clinical trials for the underrepresented, including her own Hispanic community. Her advocacy ranges from community volunteer work, to jobs for a state health and human services department, a payor, and a rare disease drug company. She advocates on Ca…

“Our research population should match our community population.” That’s one of the takeaways from Christopher Gantz’s interview with WCG President of Patient Advocacy Steve Smith. He describes several programs that help connect researchers with minority communities to increase engagement and access enrollment in clinical trials. Gantz is senior dir…

In this episode, we learn about CISCRP’s AWARE for All campaign, which builds awareness of, creates access to and encourages participation in clinical trials. Ellyn Getz, Associate Director of Development and Community Engagement at CISCRP, The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation, discusses AWARE for All. CISCRP's fl…

Independent expert committees provide essential validation of clinical data. Without their insights, sponsors risk missed signals, conflicts of interest and costly delays. But establishing a successful expert committee can be tricky. It requires the right combination of people, process and technology. In this three-part podcast, Lakshmi Sundar, hea…

In this episode, Dolly Niles, executive director of QUEST Research Institute, talks about the role of small research sites and the value of community outreach. QUEST, a multi-specialty independent research site in metro Detroit, has conducted more than 350 phase 1-4 trials since it was established in 1996. Niles talks about the role of agile smalle…

In this episode, Brian Loew, founder and CEO of online patient portal Inspire, talks about the value to patients and caregivers of providing a safe and trustworthy online social network--a “peaceable kingdom,” as he calls it. Millions of patients representing 3,500 diseases--including many rare ones --come to Inspire.com for online community discus…